On a Thursday morning, if you drop by the Village Presbyterian’s Papanui site in Christchurch, what you’ll hear is the sound of blocks being built up and toppled over, the hiss and hum of a coffee machine being put through its paces, and conversations happening between toddlers, older folk and those somewhere in between. This is a small, weekly drop-in type gathering we call Playful Generations, and it is becoming a connection point between young families and older adults in our wider community.

Observing the Needs of the Community

The story of Playful Generations is essentially one of observation and response. A couple of years ago the Village decided to try an experiment that saw them specifically call a minister to be intentionally focused on being present within the local community around their Papanui site - which led to Rev. Josh Olds being called. Soon after Layka Chandler was appointed to a part time role of community connector to help further this.

The team at our Papanui site, began taking note of what and who was present in the local neighbourhood. Early on they noticed a common thread among some of the young families they were engaging with - in an increasingly mobile world, these families often felt isolated from their extended family networks. Many expressed a desire for more "grandparently figures" in their children's lives.

Another noticing was that the general vicinity around the Village Papanui includes a number of retirement homes and aged care facilities. In talking with people connected to some of these retirement homes, another common thread was the prevalence of loneliness and isolation among elderly.

The idea for Playful Generations emerged not as a fix-all solution to a big problem, but as a simple, local response to these two very real human needs. It was, as we sometimes called it, a "little Thursday morning experiment" to see what might happen if we simply created a space for these two generations to be together.

An Experiment Becomes a Community

This experiment, since dubbed ‘Playful Generations,’ has now been running for a year, and we recently celebrated its first birthday with a community of grateful regulars. The format is simple: a drop-in space where people can show up as they are. There are toys and crafts set out, comfortable seating for everyone, and the ever-present coffee machine - in which Rev. Josh becomes barista Josh. It's a space where relationships grow naturally over a shared cup of coffee, a child's laughter, or just simply sitting together.

The intergenerational dynamic is a key part of the magic. One week, an older volunteer might share their experience of life and faith, another week, a young mum might share her parenting joys and struggles, and find a listening ear from someone who’s been there before. Sometimes, a guided activity like baking or gardening or storytelling is offered, but it’s always in a gentle way where people can choose to participate or not. It's a space for a mutual give and take of wisdom, support, and friendship.

Building God’s Family Together

Ultimately, the impact of Playful Generations is about more than just a place to come on a Thursday morning; it's about seeking the good of the community. While Playful Generations isn’t necessarily about combatting an obvious injustice, it is about trying to foster and encourage a sense of community and relationship among those who notice an absence of connection.

“It’s about creating a space where people feel known, welcomed, and valued for who they are, and where the joyful and often messy work of building God’s family is happening, one Thursday morning at a time.”